Jim Bau wrote:
Hey Jeff, Whatr AF settings did you set up for the shots? I am going to my first air show this weekend with my 5D3. I have tentatively set if for expanded AF point, scenario #5 with increased tracking sensitivity an AF point switching.

@Jim: My current settings are - AI Servo; Expanded AF Area, Surround; Scenario #1; Tracking Sensitivity 0; Accel./Decel. Tracking 0; and AF PT Auto Switching 0. I've not changed much since I got the 5D3 from Steve. I'm still learning the ropes and I'm slowly tinkering as I go along. I know this may sound like heresy, but at this early stage it seems that the 5D3's AF system is at least the equal of my 1D4 - if not superior. Maybe that is just my wishful thinking; however, it sure works very well for a camera that I primarily intended for a tripod and shooting architectural work - a very pleasant reality

Hey Steve2: I was just about to post this sentiment when I saw your two images. Some of my favorite monochrome conversions from the files of one Jay Beckman came from a Luke air show we shot together a couple of years ago. I'm thinking some terrific b&w photographs (like yours) will slowly surface from the other attendees.

The 5DmkIII AF is better than the mkIV. It's the same system that's in the 1Dx. I'm sure they are out there, but I have not read a user review yet that did not find the new 5D AF much better than the mkIV.

Tim Adams wrote:
The 5DmkIII AF is better than the mkIV. It's the same system that's in the 1Dx. I'm sure they are out there, but I have not read a user review yet that did not find the new 5D AF much better than the mkIV.

@Tim: Thanks for confirming my suspicions. Frankly, besides the 1DX weatherproofing and FPS, I can't see why someone (read me) would not consider a 5D3 as their primary camera body for aviation photography. I know that sounds like a form of penis envy justification, but it is truly how I'm feeling at this stage of my relationship with the 5D3 platform. (penis, feeling, relationship all in one sentence - ouch) The RAW files I've gotten thus far are very very nice. Did I say thank you SteveZ for selling me your 5D3. If not, thank you, thank you, thank you

Since I'm currently committed to Canon equipment, I also think that while the D800 produces RAW files superior to the 5D3, the D800 is not as robust or able to shoot action at the level of the 5D3. As Bill Fortney said, the D800 was design to be on a tripod. Not hating Nikon, just trying to make a comparison of strengths.

Jeff W. wrote:
Hey Steve2: I was just about to post this sentiment when I saw your two images. Some of my favorite monochrome conversions from the files of one Jay Beckman came from a Luke air show we shot together a couple of years ago. I'm thinking some terrific b&w photographs (like yours) will slowly surface from the other attendees.

Well what do ya know. We have blue skies and bright sunshine today! It was great meeting all you wonderful people this weekend. Thanks to Jim/Larry for the opportunity to shoot along with the others on Friday. If only the weather had been better

NightOwl Cat wrote:
Yup, and all the way home I saw blue puffies from the aircraft window.

Life just ain't fair, sometimes. I flew home today in the Remos, 6.1 hours on the tach and one fuel stop in Liberal, KS. It was CAVU, severe clear: I spotted the outline of Pikes Peak from the Kansas-Colorado border. Why couldn't they have postponed the air show until this morning?